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Postharvest grapes exhibit a limited shelf life due to susceptibility to rot and deterioration, significantly reducing their nutritional and economic value. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is a widely recognized preservative for extending grape storage life. This study performed a detailed analysis of 'Munage' table grapes treated with SO2 fumigation, employing transcriptomic and metabolomic approaches. Results indicate that SO2 fumigation significantly extends the shelf life of grapes, as demonstrated by improved visual quality, reduced decay rates, and increased fruit firmness. We identified 309 differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) and 1906 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including 135 transcription factors (TFs). Both DEGs and DAMs showed significant enrichment of flavonoid-related metabolism compared with the control, and the relative content of four flavonoid metabolites (Wogonin-7-O-glucuronide, Acacetin-7-O-glucuronide, Apigenin-7-O-glucuronide, and Baicalein 7-O-glucuronide) were significantly increased in grapes upon SO2 treatment, suggesting that SO2 treatment had a substantial regulatory effect on grape flavonoid metabolism. Importantly, we constructed complex regulatory networks by screening key enzyme genes (e.g., PAL, 4CLs, CHS, CHI2, and UGT88F3) related to the metabolism of target flavonoid, as well as potential regulatory transcription factors (TFs). Overall, our findings offer new insights into the regulatory mechanisms by which SO2 maintains the postharvest quality of table grapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During storage, infestation by insect pests occurs, causing quantitative and qualitative losses in grains, which requires the control of these insects with phosphine gas. Rice husk has a high phosphine adsorption capacity, influencing the gas concentration during fumigation and potentially leading to inefficient fumigation. Additionally, the high sorption of rice husk results in a higher residue of phosphine in the grain. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the phosphine sorption and phosphine residue in rice husk, paddy rice, and brown rice, as well as the industrial quality (head rice yield, rehydration capacity, cooking time, colorimetric profile) of brown and white rice during storage. To achieve this, fumigation of paddy rice, brown rice, and rice husks with 3.0 g·m−3 of phosphine was carried out for 240 h (recommended duration in the industry). A high sorption rate was observed in the rice husk (94.77%), paddy rice (97.61%), and, lastly, brown rice (35.17%). Due to the high sorption rate, only brown rice maintained a concentration above the recommended level for effective pest control (400 ppm for 120 h). Higher phosphine residues than permitted were observed in the rice husk (0.25 ppm). Lower rice head yields were observed in non-fumigated rice samples when analyzing the brown rice samples (66.21% for paddy rice and 65.01% for brown rice). A greater rehydration capacity was observed in fumigated samples at the beginning of storage when analyzing the brown rice samples (1.21 for paddy rice, 1.23 for brown rice), reducing the cooking time (24.00 for paddy rice, 23.80 for brown rice). More studies should be carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of fumigation on paddy rice, considering the high sorption rate of the paddy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess the efficiency of the use of α-pinene and essential oils of Gaultheria procumbens, Juniperus communis, Protium heptaphyllum, and Protium pallidum in treating corn seeds (Zea mays) under storage conditions for the management of Sitophilus zeamais. Contact toxicity, fumigation, repellency, persistence, and residual effects of the targeted essential oil and phytocompound on germination were performed. G. procumbens oil, high in methyl salicylate (96%), was the most toxic in contact tests, with an LC50 of 26.83 µL/20 g. P. heptaphyllum oil, containing 40.1% limonene, was the second most toxic with an LC50 of 45.78 μL/20 g. When test separately, α-pinene was more toxic than J. communis oil, which has 67% α-pinene. P. pallidum oil, with 31.17% o-cimene, also showed toxicity. In fumigation tests, the toxicity order was G. procumbens ≥ P. heptaphyllum > α-pinene > J. communis > P. pallidum. All products were repellent. G. procumbens had the longest persistence (71 days), while J. communis and α-pinene had shorter persistence. J. communis oil and α-pinene did not affect corn seed germination or vigor. The findings are crucial for managing S. zeamais in stored maize and determining the appropriate use of natural insecticides without affecting their ability to germinate and grow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tomato is an economically and nutritionally important crop and is vulnerable to drought. Under drought, soil microbes provide beneficial effects to plants and alleviate stress. We suggest a reconstruction of the soil microbiome using biofumigation, an organic farming method, to protect tomatoes. In this study, we treated soil in four ways with varied concentrations: biofumigation (BF0.5, BF1.0, and BF1.5), green manure treatment (GM0.5, GM1.0, and GM1.5), autoclaving (AT), and non-treatment (NT). Tomatoes were grown in each treated soil, subjected to water shortages, and were rewatered. We investigated plant phenotypes and soil properties, focused on microbial communities using the Illumina MiSeq® System. Relative Water Content and malondialdehyde were measured as plant stress. The results showed that the 1% biofumigation treatment had 105% and 108.8% RWC during drought and after rewatering, compared to the non-treated soil. The highest concentration, the 1.5% treatment, lowered RWC due to an excess of NO3−, K+, Ca2+, and decreased alpha diversity. Through PLS-PM, bacterial alpha diversity was found to be the largest factor in the increase in RWC (coefficient = 0.3397), and both biofumigant and green manure significantly increased the Shannon index and observed species. In addition, biofumigation increased beneficial functional genes (purine metabolism, pyrimidine metabolism, carbon fixation pathways, and zeatin bio-synthesis) of soil microorganisms (p value < 0.05, <0.01, >0.05, and <0.05, respectively). The 1% biofumigation treatment enriched the core five genera of the fungal network (Enterocarpus, Aspergillus, Leucothecium, Peniophora, and Wallemia) of the fungal network which might suppress the most dominant pathogen, Plectosphaerella. In conclusion, biofumigation-derived soil microbiome alterations have the potential to lower plant stress under drought. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study explores the prevalence of phosphine resistance in stored-grain insects. The research, conducted in Greece, examined 53 key insect species and used two assessment protocols, namely, dose–response and CORESTA, to estimate phosphine resistance. The results showed that 13.3% of field populations were resistant, and mortality rates increased with higher phosphine concentrations. According to the dose–response protocol, 37.7% of field populations were found to be resistant, while all populations were susceptible according to the CORESTA protocol. The observed resistance patterns differ from those reported in other regions. The study emphasizes the importance of tailored fumigation strategies considering insect species' susceptibility to phosphine and recommends best management practices and rotational strategies to develop effective resistance management plans. The results offer valuable insights into the dynamic landscape of phosphine resistance in stored-product insects and suggest potential avenues for further research and control measures. Post-harvest losses due to insect infestation and spoilage by bacteria and molds pose significant challenges to global cereal production. This study investigates the prevalence of resistance to phosphine, a commonly used grain protection agent, in stored-grain insects. The research, conducted in various storage facilities across Greece, examined 53 populations of key stored-product insect species. Two assessment protocols, namely, dose–response (at 50–1000 ppm for 3 days exposure) and CORESTA (at 300 ppm for 6 days), were used herein to estimate phosphine resistance. The results showed that 13.3% of field populations were resistant, and mortality rates increased with higher phosphine concentrations. Specifically, according to the dose–response protocol, among the 53 field populations, 37.7% were found to be resistant to phosphine, namely, two populations of O. surinamensis, one of S. oryzae, seven of T. confusum, one of C. ferrugineus, one of T. castaneum, and all populations of R. dominica, whereas, according to the CORESTA protocol, all populations were found to be susceptible to phosphine. The observed resistance patterns differ from those reported in other regions of the world. The study highlights the importance of tailored fumigation strategies, considering insect species varying susceptibility to phosphine. It recommends the use of best management practices and rotational strategies, such as combining phosphine with other methods, to develop effective resistance management plans. The results provide valuable insights into the dynamic landscape of phosphine resistance in stored-product insects and suggest potential avenues for further research and control measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Biological fumigation, a potential alternative to chemical fumigation, shows a wide range of prospective applications. In this study, we carried out biological fumigation experiments to evaluate its effect on alleviating consecutive cropping problems (CRPs) when compared with chemical fumigation. Methods: We designed five treatments, namely, CR (no treatment), LN (chemical fumigation with lime nitrogen), Ta (fumigation with marigold), Ra (fumigation with radish), and Br (fumigation with mustard), for soils for replanting eggplant and measured the crop's growth status, soil bacterial and fungal communities, and soil physicochemical properties. Results: The results showed that the Br and Ra treatments formed similar microbial communities, while the Ta treatment formed unique microbial communities. The genera Olpidiomycota and Rozellomycota could be used as indicator species for the transformation process of soil microbial communities after the Br and Ta treatments, respectively. When compared with the CR and LN treatments, the soil's physicochemical properties were optimized under the Br treatment, and the soil organic matter content increased by 64.26% and 79.22%, respectively. Moreover, under the Br treatment, the soil's biological properties enhanced the bacterial and fungal alpha diversity, and the saprotrophic fungi increased with the depletion of pathotrophic fungi, while some specific probiotic microorganisms (such as Olpidiomycota, Microascales, Bacillus, etc.) were significantly enriched. In contrast, under the Ta treatment, soil nutrient levels decreased and the soil's biological indices deteriorated, whereas the bacterial diversity decreased and the pathogenic fungi increased. Conclusions: Among these three biological fumigation methods, the Br pre-treatment was the best way to alleviate the crop's CRPs and may be a good substitute for chemical fumigation in some situations. However, the Ta treatment also had some risks, such as the loss of land quality and reduced productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the use of endophyte-assisted Tillandsia brachycaulos to enhance formaldehyde removal in indoor environments. A formaldehyde-degrading endophyte from the root of Epipremnum aureum , Pseudomonas plecoglossicida , was identified and used for inoculation. Among the inoculation methods, spraying proved to be the most effective, resulting in a significant 35 % increase in formaldehyde removal after 36 hours. The results of the light exposure experiment (3000 Lux) demonstrate that an increase in light intensity reduces the efficiency of the Tillandsia brachycaulos -microbial system in degrading formaldehyde. In a 15-day formaldehyde fumigation experiment at 2 ppm in a normal indoor environment, the inoculated Tillandsia brachycaulos exhibited removal efficiency ranging from 42.53 % to 66.13 %, while the uninoculated declined from 31.62 % to 3.17 %. The Pseudomonas plecoglossicida (referred to as PP-1) became the predominant bacteria within the Tillandsia brachycaulos after fumigation. Moreover, the endophytic inoculation effectively increased the resistance and tolerance of Tillandsia brachycaulos to formaldehyde, as evidenced by lower levels of hydroxyl radical, malondialdehyde (MDA), free protein, and peroxidase activity (POD), as well as higher chlorophyll content compared to uninoculated Tillandsia brachycaulos. These findings indicate that the combination of endophytic bacteria and Tillandsia brachycaulos has significant potential for improving indoor air quality. [Display omitted] • The colonize endophyte PP-1 was obtained from the root of Epipremnum aureum. • Endophyte-assisted Tillandsia brachycaulos could enhance indoor formaldehyde removal. • High light intensity hindered the formaldehyde removal efficiency of plants. • PP-1 augmented plant resistance and tolerance to formaldehyde toxicity. • PP-1 became the predominant bacteria within the Tillandsia brachycaulos after fumigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a long-term monoculture with fruit trees and tree nurseries, it is necessary to regenerate the soil due to the risk of apple replant disease (ARD). The occurrence of ARD is manifested in the structure of the mycobiome. The assumption of our experiment was that the use of oil radish (Raphanus sativus var. oleifera), white mustard (Sinapis alba), and marigold (Tagetes patula L.) as phytosanitary plants for biofumigation would provide crops with nutrients, improve soil physicochemical properties, and influence the diversity of microbiota, including fungal networks, towards a beneficial mycobiome. Metagenomic analysis of fungal populations based on the hypervariable ITS1 region was used for assessing changes in the soil mycobiome. It showed that biofumigation, mainly with a forecrop of marigold (Tagetes patula L.) (R3), caused an improvement in soil physicochemical properties (bulk density and humus) and the highest increase in the abundance of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) of the Fungi kingdom, which was similar to that of agriculturally undegraded soils, and amounted to 54.37%. In this variant of the experiment, the most OTUs were identified at the phylum level, for Ascomycota (39.82%) and Mortierellomycota beneficial fungi (7.73%). There were no such dependencies in the soils replanted with forecrops of oilseed radish (Raphanus sativus var. oleifera) and white mustard (Sinapis alba). Biofumigation with marigold and oil radish contributed to a reduction in the genus Fusarium, which contains several significant plant-pathogenic species. The percentages of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) of Fusarium spp. decreased from 1.57% to 0.17% and 0.47%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To enhance water resistance of starch‐based foam, based on the porous and irregular surface feature of foam, fumigating hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) and spraying nano‐SiO2/ethanol solution were utilized to enhance hydrophobic properties of the starch‐based foam. Homemade starch‐molded foams were used for hydrophobic modification studies, the results showed that fumigating HMDS can lead to the formation of "Si‐O‐C" bonds between HMDS and starch. Additionally, it can form more stable "Si‐O‐Si" bonds with nano‐SiO2 in the original composites, which can better adhere to the surface of the starch foam to effectively create a waterproof barrier layer. On the basis of HMDS fumigation modification, hydrophobicity was significantly enhanced by further spraying of nano‐SiO2/ethanol solution. When the mass ratio of nano‐SiO2 to ethanol was 6:100, the combination of HMDS and nano‐SiO2 was optimal, while making the roughness of the foam surface suitable, at which time, the contact angle reached 155°, the maximum value under this system, indicating that the hydrophobicity was optimal. The fumigation and spraying method can evenly and comprehensively act on the surface of the porous and irregular starch‐based foam, which facilitates the waterproof post‐treatment process of the industrial application process and has strong practical significance. Highlights: Fumigated with HMDS, the starch foam's exhibit some hydrophobic effect.Fumigation followed by spraying is effective in enhancing the hydrophobicity of starch foams.Both the fumigation method and the spray method are suitable for the post‐treatment of hydrophobic of starch foams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

No abstract available. Manuscript truncated after 150 words. History of Present Illness: A 55-year-old woman is self-referred for dizziness, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. She was well until 2 months prior to this visit. She says she feels like she is in a “fog”. She also complains of a “tight chest”. PMH, SH, and FH: She has a past medical history of hypertension and presently takes metoprolol. She has had a tubal ligation and a breast lumpectomy in the past. There is a questionable history of a positive Cardiolite nuclear stress test. She is divorced and lives alone in a small town in Iowa. She does not smoke, drink to excess or used illicit drugs. She has worked assembling bird houses for 20 years. She attributes her problems to a workplace exposure because she seems worse when opens the large shipping containers with the birdhouse parts. Although she worked 20 years previously without problems, her symptoms began 2 months …

【Objective】The study was conducted to clarify the microbial community structure in soil with continuous cropping of Curcuma wenyujin and fumigation treatment, aiming to lay a foundation for alleviating continuous cropping obstacles in C. wenyujin cultivation.【Method】The soil under a continuous cropping of C. wenyujin for 3 years was selected and fumigated with dazomet one month before planting C. wenyujin. After 7-month cultivation of C. wenyujin, we collected soil samples from three types of plots: continuous cropping, fumigated and uncultivated. Total soil DNA was extracted, and the population and diversity of microbial communities (fungi and bacteria) were analyzed by using PacBio Sequel thirdgeneration sequencing.【Result】The results showed that C. wenyujin plants in the fumigated soil exhibited good growth and minimal disease incidence, while those in the continuous cropping soil had poor growth and severe seedling death. Analysis of bacterial communities at the phylum level revealed that the abundance of AD3, TK10 and WPS-2 decreased in rhizosphere soil after continuous cropping compared with those in uncultivated soil. Fumigation of continuous cropping soil increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria with biocontrol functions such as Bacillus and Sphingomonas. Among the three soil types, 5 fungal phyla were abundant, including Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Chytridiomycota, Mortierellomycota, and unclassified_k_ Fungi. Ascomycota had the lowest abundance in uncultivated C. wenyujin soil, but continuous cropping significantly increased its abundance, while Basidiomycota showed a significant decrease. Several beneficial fungal genera, including Chaetomium, Penicillium, Aspergillus, Myrothecium, Thielavia, Humicola, Rhizophlyctis, Microdochium, Ramicandelaber, Albifi mbria, Curvularia, Gigaspora, Nigrospora, Neocosmospora, Talaromyces, Roussoella, Rhytidhysteron, Boothiomyces, Apiotrichum, Ochroconis, Saitozyma, Trichosporon and Phoma, had higher abundance in fumigated soil than that in continuous cropping soil. In contrast, continuous cropping soil had a higher accumulation of pathogenic microorganisms.【Conclusion】Continuous cropping of C. wenyujin leads to the accumulation of harmful soil microorganism, resulting in continuous cropping obstacles. Fumigation with dazomet can reduce the number of soil-borne pathogens and increase the abundance of beneficial microbial populations, thereby mitigating continuous cropping obstacles in C. wenyujin cultivation.

Effective pest management in urban areas is critically challenged by the rapid proliferation of mosquito breeding sites. Traditional fumigation methods expose human operators to harmful chemicals, posing significant health risks ranging from respiratory problems to long-term chronic conditions. To address these issues, a novel fumigation robot equipped with sensor fusion technology for optimal pest control in urban landscapes is proposed. The proposed robot utilizes light detection and ranging data, depth camera inputs processed through the You Only Look Once version 8 (YOLOv8) algorithm for precise object recognition, and inertial measurement unit data. These technologies allow the robot to accurately identify and localize mosquito breeding hotspots using YOLOv8, achieving a precision of 0.81 and a mean average precision of 0.74. The integration of these advanced sensor technologies allows for detailed and reliable mapping, enhancing the robot's navigation through complex urban terrains and ensuring precise targeting of fumigation efforts. In a test case, the robot demonstrated a 62.5% increase in efficiency by significantly reducing chemical usage through targeted hotspot fumigation. By automating the detection and treatment of breeding sites, the proposed method boosts the efficiency and effectiveness of pest management operations and significantly diminishes the health risks associated with chemical exposure for human workers. This approach, featuring real-time object recognition and dynamic adaptation to environmental changes, represents a substantial advancement in urban pest management, offering a safer and more effective solution to a persistent public health issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Panax notoginseng, a medicinal herb in China, is attacked by several pathogens during its cultivation. Dazomet (DZ) is a soil fumigant that is effective in controlling soil-borne pathogens, but its long-term effects on P. notoginseng growth and soil properties are unknown. Methods: We conducted field experiments over two consecutive years to assess the impact of three concentrations of DZ fumigation (35 kg/666.7 m2, 40 kg/666.7 m2, and 45 kg/666.7 m2) on soil physicochemical properties, microbial diversity, and P. notoginseng growth. Correlation analyses were performed between microbial community changes and soil properties, and functional predictions for soil microorganisms were conducted. Results: DZ fumigation increased total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total potassium, available phosphorus, available potassium, and ammonia nitrogen levels in the soil. DZ fumigation promoted the nutrient accumulation and improvement of agronomic traits of P. notoginseng, resulted in a 2.83-3.81X yield increase, with the highest total saponin content increasing by 24.06%. And the 40 kg/666.7 m2 treatment had the most favorable impact on P. notoginseng growth and saponin accumulation. After DZ fumigation, there was a decrease in the relative abundance of pathogenic fungi such as Fusarium, Plectosphaerella, and Ilyonectria, while beneficial bacteria such as Ramlibacter, Burkholderia, and Rhodanobacteria increased. The effects of fumigation on soil microorganisms and soil physicochemical properties persisted for 18 months post-fumigation. DZ fumigation enhanced the relative abundance of bacteria involved in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, reduced the relative abundance of plant-animal pathogenic fungi, reduced the occurrence of soil-borne diseases. Conclusion: In conclusion, DZ fumigation enhanced soil physicochemical properties, increased the proportion of beneficial bacteria in the soil, and rebalanced soil microorganism populations, consequently improving the growth environment of P. notoginseng and enhancing its growth, yield, and quality. This study offers a theoretical foundation for DZ fumigation as a potential solution to the continuous cropping issue in perennial medicinal plants such as P. notoginseng. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In agriculture, there are various types of progress, and trends in agricultural production include the minimized use of chemicals and the production of food with favorable taste and increased nutritional value. In this study, during a three-year field experiment on potato cultivar Agria, ozone was applied in a fumigation process with an invented device, and hydrogen peroxide was applied as a foliar spray. The yield of ozone-treated plants was lower than of the control plants. Hydrogen peroxide treatment did not affect the yield of potatoes. Ozone fumigation had a positive effect on the chemical composition of tubers, while in the case of hydrogen peroxide, this effect occurred only in one year of research and only for selected parameters. The antioxidant response of plants, which is a defense response to artificially induced oxidative stress, contributes to the production of antioxidant-like metabolites by increasing the antiradical activity of crops by 3–23%, increasing the total content of polyphenolic compounds by 12–108%, and increasing the total antioxidant capacity by 23–42%. The obtained results confirmed that appropriate doses of ROS can be used in the field cultivation of potatoes to increase the nutritional value of tubers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil fumigation is considered a method to control soil-borne diseases and solve crop continuous cropping obstacles. However, fumigant residues in the soil are detrimental to soil health. Though substrate cultivation is a cultivation mode that can promote plant growth, studies to date on whether substrate cultivation can replace soil fumigation for the control of soil pathogens are limited. In this study, the effects of chloropicrin fumigation (Pic) and substrate cultivation (SC) on yam growth, soil pathogens, soil nutrients, and microbial communities were demonstrated using a 2-year field experiment. The results showed that SC significantly increased the content of soil organic matter (SOM), available phosphorus, and available potassium compared with Pic. In addition, SC could effectively reduce the number of Fusarium spp. and Phytophthora spp., decrease the rate of diseased yam plants, and significantly increase the yam yield. Moreover, SC significantly increased the abundance of beneficial microorganisms such as Actinobacteriota, Acidobacteriota, and Bacillus in soil. Correlation analysis showed that yam yield exhibited a negative relation with the number of soil pathogens and a positive correlation with SOM. Our study suggests that substrate cultivation can be an alternative to soil fumigation to control soil pathogens and protect soil health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Storage insect pest sawtoothed grain beetle, Oryzaephilus surinamensis, is one of the important secondary pests encountered in grains and packaged commodities. It is emerging as one of the important storage pests due to the development of resistance against phosphine fumigants in many countries. Several studies were carried out to ascertain the susceptibility of this pest to phosphine fumigation from India. Dose-response probit assays conducted against larval (second and fourth instar) and adult stages of O. surinamensis revealed significant dose-dependent and time-dependent variations in these stages. The adults were relatively less susceptible to phosphine (LC50 = 36.84 ppm) than the larval stages (LC50 = 13.12, 18.68 ppm respectively, for second and fourth instar at 72 h exposure). Comparative toxicity of phosphine at 24, 48 and 72 h exposures revealed that extended exposures led to linear decrease in lethal concentrations irrespective of life stage of the pest. The discriminating dose bioassay at 0.04-0.2 mg l-1 phosphine with 20 h exposure revealed weak resistance to phosphine in this population. The present study confirmed the tolerance of O. surinamensis to phosphine as comparable with that reported from other countries. Large-scale sampling of field populations of O. surinamensis from different geographical regions will update the current levels of resistance in field populations of O. surinamensis from India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peach brown rot, attributed to Monilinia fructicola, presents a significant threat to postharvest peach cultivation, causing losses of up to 80%. With an increasing number of countries, spearheaded by the European Union, imposing bans on chemical agents in fruit production, there is a growing interest in mining highly active antibacterial compounds from biological control strains for postharvest disease management. In this study, we highlight the unique ability of Streptomyces lincolnensis strain JCP1‐7 to inhibit M. fructicola sporulation, despite its limited antimicrobial efficacy. Through GC–MS analysis, eucalyptol was identified as the key compound. Fumigation of diseased fruits with eucalyptol at a concentration of 0.0335 μg cm−3 demonstrated an in vivo inhibition rate against M. fructicola of 93.13%, completely suppressing spore formation. Transcriptome analysis revealed the impact of eucalyptol on multiple pathogenesis‐related pathways, particularly through the inhibition of catalase 2 (Cat2) expression. Experiments with a MfCat2 knockout strain (ΔMfCat2) showed reduced pathogenicity and sensitivity to JCP1‐7 and eucalyptol, suggesting MfCat2 as a potential target of JCP1‐7 and eucalyptol against M. fructicola. Our findings elucidate that eucalyptol produced by S. lincolnensis JCP1‐7 inhibits M. fructicola sporulation by regulating MfCat2, thereby effectively reducing postharvest peach brown rot occurrence. The use of fumigation of eucalyptol offers insights into peach brown rot management on a large scale, thus making a significant contribution to agricultural research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Many species of insects that infest stored products have developed a resistance to phosphine as a result of its widespread use to control stored-product pests. There is a significant opportunity for the development of natural fumigants as eco-friendly methods for controlling pests in stored products. A plant-derived molecule called methyl benzoate (MBe) is an example of a volatile organic compound that has potent insecticidal and fumigation toxicity. In this research, we examined its potential efficacy as a fumigation agent against phosphine-resistant strains of the lesser grain borer and rice weevil. Phosphine (PH3) has been widely used as a fumigant in food storage, but increasing PH3 resistance in major pests makes finding alternative fumigants urgent. Methyl benzoate (MBe), a volatile organic compound regarded to be a food-safe natural product, has recently demonstrated significant toxicity against a variety of insect pests. This study is the first evaluation of the fumigation toxicity of three benzoate compounds, MBe, vinyl benzoate, and ethyl benzoate, against PH3-susceptible and PH3-resistant strains of Rhyzopertha dominica and Sitophilus oryzae. All strains were exposed to the compounds at concentrations up to 20 µL/1.5 L air for 24 h. Compared to vinyl benzoate and ethyl benzoate, MBe induced higher mortality rates in all strains at all concentrations. When food was made available, the lethal median concentration for MBe was 10–17-fold higher than when tested without food. Moreover, no significant differences were observed between the responses of the PH3-susceptible and PH3-resistant strains to the compounds. Notably, S. oryzae was more susceptible to MBe. In laboratory settings, MBe successfully controlled PH3-resistant strains of R. dominica and S. oryzae, making it a viable option for PH3-resistance management. Thus, MBe might be suitable for food security programs as an environmentally benign alternative fumigant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zhiyan 智儼 (602–668) is considered the second patriarch of the Chinese Huayan 華嚴 (Jp. Kegon) school. Zhiyan gave his scholarly attention to the Dilun School 地論宗 and Shelun School 攝論宗. By his period, the reunification of the North and South had permitted the Dilun and Shelun lineages to begin to merge, and the texts on which they were based had a common origin in the Indian Yogācāra and Tathāgatagarbha. In this article, I focus on Zhiyan's conceptual innovations and their background. My chief concerns are twofold: the first is to review several terms and teachings as representative examples of the creative practice of Zhiyan and the second is to identify his roots in the earlier traditions of Indian and Chinese Buddhism. I focus on the translation and understanding of the term zhenru 真如 (Skt. tathatā; suchness/thusness), which is a crucial expression used in descriptions of ultimate truth in Buddhism. By investigating the terms through the lens of the Ratnagotravibhāga (=RGV), I consider what tathatā, dhātu and gotra signified in their Indian usage and how these meanings evolved in the process of the appropriation of these concepts in China, especially in Zhiyan's writings. Furthermore, through this analysis, I aim to explore Zhiyan's attitude towards the Jiujing yisheng baoxing lun 究竟一乘寶性論 (=BXL), the Chinese translation of the RGV, and examine how he absorbed and utilized this significant treatise, which was compiled in India and translated in Northern China. We cannot find even one clear interpretation defining suchness as unconditioned dharma in the Dasheng qixin lun 大乘起信論 (=AF; Awakening of Mahāyāna Faith). In the AF, it is stated that suchness is initially pure. However, due to the fumigation of ignorance, the marks and features of defilement will appear on pure suchness. Suchness, being connected with foundation consciousness, has been regarded as the foundation or origin of conditioned arising in the She dasheng lun chao 攝大乘論抄 (T2806), a significant commentary on the She dasheng lun 攝大乘論 translated by Paramārtha 真諦 (499–569), who has been associated with the AF. Building on this trend in the interpretation of suchness, Zhiyan employs both the AF and the BXL to expound his theory of suchness. He initially utilizes the theory of suchness from the AF and the BXL to argue that all phenomena, including delusion, could arise from suchness. Zhiyan asserts the fumigation/perfume of suchness. The background of Zhiyan's theory of suchness is based on the AF. However, while the AF only mentions the fumigation/perfume of suchness, Zhiyan adds that suchness does not inherently maintain its self-nature but arises conditionally. This marks a significant difference, or development, between the theory of suchness in the AF and that in Zhiyan's Huayan doctrinal system. In my view, the answer lies in the BXL, which Zhiyan himself regards as a key text alongside the AF as the basis for his theory of suchness. Zhiyan finds an intimation of the precious truth in the commentaries of Huiguang 慧光, who was a disciple of Ratnamati, the translator of the BXL, and the founder of the southern branch of the Dilun School. Zhiyan finds the doctrine of infinite dependent arising according to the one vehicle of the distinct teaching (Ch. biejiao yisheng 別教一乘) in Huiguang's commentaries. It indicates that the renderings and interpretations of Ratnamati and Huiguang seem to have deeply influenced Zhiyan. For a long time, many scholars have believed that the RGV had only a minimal impact on East Asian Buddhism, and few have pointed out its influence on Zhiyan. However, through the analysis in this article, I find that Zhiyan places significant importance on the RGV and its Chinese translation BXL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This study explores the use of essential oils from cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton) and galangal (Alpinia galanga (L.) Willd) as alternatives to synthetic insecticides for controlling the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst). The chemical compositions of these oils were analyzed using GC-MS, and their fumigation effects were tested in a vapor-phase bioassay. The experiment followed a factorial design with four types of essential oils, namely, those manually extracted from cardamom leaves (MCL) and galangal leaves (MGL) and those commercially produced from cardamom seeds (CCS) and galangal rhizomes (CGR), at seven concentrations (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, and 300 µL/L air). The manually extracted oils yielded 0.6% from cardamom leaves and 0.25% from galangal leaves. MCL contained 28 components, with eucalyptol (25.2%) being the most abundant, while CCS had 34 components, primarily α-terpinyl acetate (46.1%) and eucalyptol (31.2%). MGL included 25 components, mainly caryophyllene (28.7%) and aciphyllene (18.3%), whereas CGR comprised 27 components, with methyl cis-cinnamate (47.3%) and safrole (19.8%) as the major constituents. The fumigation bioassay results revealed that CGR was the most effective, demonstrating the highest mortality rates of T. castaneum across all the tested periods and concentrations, achieving up to 96% mortality at 168 h with a concentration of 300 µL/L air. Statistical analyses showed significant differences in mortality based on the type and concentration of essential oil, particularly after 96 h. These findings highlight the potential of CGR, with its advantages and differences in chemical composition, as an effective biopesticide against T. castaneum, with increasing efficacy over time and at higher concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morocco is a significant botanical reservoir that boasts a wealth of raw materials with promising applications across various industrial sectors, notably in pharmaceuticals and food. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of essential oils (EOs) derived from Laurus nobilis L. leaves originating from the Tanger (EOT) and Meknes (EOM) regions in combating Callosobruchus maculatus infection. The chemical compositions of these oils were examined using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The biological activity of the EOs was evaluated via repulsion and fumigation tests against C. maculatus at varying concentrations. FTIR analysis revealed distinct vibrational bands indicative of various chemical compounds. GC-MS analysis was used to delineate the major chemical constituents of the EOs. The three predominant compounds in the EOT were 1,8-cineole (37.64%), linalool (16.40%), and adamantane (12.00%), whereas 1,8-cineole (47.84%), toluene (17.60%), and α-phellandrene (8.44%) were the most abundant in the EOM. Notably, the EOs exhibited significant repellent activity against C. maculatus, with repulsion percentages ranging from 51.11 to 90.00% in Tanger and 67.78 to 93.33% in Meknes. Mortality rates varied from 0 to 100% depending on the treatment. However, the mean concentrations showed mortality rates ranging from 29.44 to 65.56% for the EOT and from 21.11 to 67.78% for the EOM, with LD50 values of 11.96 μL/L and 5.22 μL/L. Docking studies revealed that 1,8-cineole had the highest binding affinity for the active site of acetylcholinesterase, thus confirming its toxic activity against C. maculatus. The findings of this study highlight the ability of EOs extracted from L. nobilis in the Moroccan regions of Tanger and Meknes to act as effective insecticides and repellents against C. maculatus, thereby highlighting avenues for further exploration of pest management and agricultural practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thrust of the study was to determine the chemical composition of the essential oils extracted from Thymus pallescens de Noé and Cymbogon citratus Stapf. as well as to evaluate their efficacy in controlling Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky and Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) in either single or combined populations. Carvacrol (56.04%) and geraniol (20.86%) were identified as the major constituents of T. pallescens and C. citratus respectively. The tested essential oils showed pronounced insecticidal activity against the pest species in relation with the applied doses. T. pallescens EO had the highest efficacy and S. zeamais was found to be more susceptible to both individual and combined treatments. With reference to the contact and fumigation assessments, T. pallescens EO effectuated corrected mortality rates ranging from 42.5–100% to 25–100% in S. zeamais with corresponding lethal concentration (LC50) values of 17.7 µl/ml and 15µL/L air respectively. Whereas, the T. pallescens EO exhibited corrected mortality rates of 42.5–100% and 20–100% with corresponding LC50 values of 18.1 µl/ml and 15.5 µL/L air against T. castaneum in contact and fumigation assessments, respectively. The corrected mortality rates increased for both insect species when using combination treatments, with significant increases in the LC50 values, ranging from 8.59 to 49.9% for both pest species. Analysis of energy biomarkers in the treated insects indicate significantly increased protein and carbohydrate contents and decreased lipids levels. The study therefore demonstrated the bio-insecticidal toxicity of the EOs from T. pallescens and C. citratus against two important maize post-harvest pests, concurrently revealing significant positive and negative insecticidal activity gradients in relation to single or combined populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil chemical fumigation is an effective and popular method to increase agricultural productivity. However, the broad-spectrum bioactivity of fumigants causes harm to soil beneficial microorganisms involved in the soil phosphorous cycle, such as soil phosphorus solubilizing microorganisms (PSMs). We review the effects of soil chemical fumigation on soil phosphorus cycling, and the potential underlying mechanisms that ultimately lead to altered phosphorus availability for crops. These complex processes involve the highly diverse PSM community and a plethora of soil phosphorus forms. We discuss phosphatizing amendments aimed at counteracting the possible negative effects of fumigation on phosphorus availability, phosphorus use efficiency, and crop yields. We also emphasize distinguishing between the effects on soil phosphorus cycling caused by the chemical fumigants, and those caused by the fumigation process (e.g. plastic mulching). These are typically conflated in the literature; distinguishing them is critical for identifying appropriate amendments to remediate possible post-fumigation soil phosphorus deficiencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In South Korea, the increase in growing tropical and subtropical crops due to climate change and consumer demand has brought along a challenge: invasive insect pests damaging these fruits. To address this issue, we explored using ethyl formate (EF) fumigation as a safer alternative to traditional methods. We focused on two types of aphids, common pests in the trade of fresh produce. We found that EF effectively controlled aphids across different stages of fruit cultivation and post-harvest storage, achieving 100% mortality without harming the plants. Importantly, EF levels rapidly decreased after fumigation, ensuring safety. These findings suggest that EF fumigation could be a valuable solution for protecting crops from pests in a changing climate. This research provides farmers and policymakers with a safer and more sustainable method for pest control in greenhouse and post-harvest storage, ensuring the availability and quality of tropical fruits for consumers while reducing environmental risks associated with traditional pesticides. Tropical and subtropical crops are being increasingly cultivated in South Korea, leading to an increase in damage by exotic insect pests. Consequently, ethyl formate (EF) is currently being considered for quarantine and pre-shipment fumigation. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of EF fumigation for controlling Aphis spiraecola Patch and Aphis gossypii Glover, two representative quarantine pests on passion fruit ("Pink Bourbon") during greenhouse cultivation and post-harvest storage. The efficacy of EF against both aphids in terms of the lethal concentration causing 50% mortality (LCt50%) and LCt99% was 1.36–2.61 g h/m3 and 3.73–7.55 g h/m3 under greenhouse conditions (23 °C), and 1.37–2.02 g h/m3 and 3.80–14.59 g h/m3 post-harvest (5 °C), respectively. EF at 4 g/m3 for 4 h resulted in 100% mortality of A. spiraecola, which was more resistant to EF, without causing phytotoxic damage to the trees in a 340 m3 greenhouse. Post-harvest fruit fumigation at 10 g/m3 for 4 h in a mid-size (0.8 m3) fumigation chamber resulted in complete disinfection. Moreover, the EF level decreased below the EF threshold within 10 min after natural ventilation in the greenhouse. Therefore, our results suggest EF fumigation as an effective method for controlling A. spiraecola and A. gossypii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Sulfuryl fluoride (SF) was introduced as a fumigant in 1957 and widely used against stored product insects and dry wood termites in wood structures in warm climates. We conducted several experiments on the quarantine treatment of Japanese termites (Reticulitermes speratus) with SF. The efficacy against R. speratus in wood, as well as the wood sorption and penetration capacity, of SF were investigated. The LCt50 and LCt99 values of SF were calculated at two different temperatures and the differences between dry and wet wood at several loading ratios were evaluated as insignificant. Complete pest mortality was proven in scale-up trials with a 90% loading ratio of SF. The fumigant concentration decreased below the threshold limit after 30 min of ventilation. Compared with other alternative methyl bromide fumigants, the main advantages of SF were outlined. SF caused 100% termite mortality with a 90% loading ratio in the scale-up trials (500 L). The present study provides a basis for the use of SF as an alternative to MB for the treatment of termites in wood. High-risk termites in wood imported to the Republic of Korea are currently treated with methyl bromide (MB), which has ozone-depleting properties and is highly toxic. This study evaluated the effectiveness of sulfuryl fluoride (SF) as a quarantine treatment against Reticulitermes speratus Kolbe (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) in wood, along with its wood sorption and penetration capacity. The LCt50 and LCt99 values for SF were 30.87 and 42.53 mg h/L at 23 °C and 151.62 and 401.9 mg h/L at 5 °C, respectively. The SF Ct values did not significantly differ between dry and wet wood at loading ratios of 10%, 30%, and 50% at both 5 °C and 23 °C (p > 0.05). In a closed wooden cube, the LCt50 and LCt99 for SF for R. speratus were 31.59 and 53.34 mg h/L, respectively, indicating an excellent wood penetration ability. SF caused 100% termite mortality with a 90% loading ratio in the scale-up trials (500 L). The SF concentration during ventilation decreased below the threshold limit value (TLV) of 5 ppm within 30 min, confirming that the working conditions were safe. This study provides a basis for the use of SF as an alternative to MB for the treatment of termites in wood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective] The study was conducted to clarify the microbial community structure in soil with continuous cropping of Curcuma wenyujin and fumigation treatment, aiming to lay a foundation for alleviating continuous cropping obstacles in C. wenyujin cultivation. [Method] The soil under a continuous cropping of C. wenyujin for 3 years was selected and fumigated with dazomet one month before planting C. wenyujin. After 7-month cultivation of C. wenyujin, we collected soil samples from three types of plots: continuous cropping, fumigated and uncultivated. Total soil DNA was extracted, and the population and diversity of microbial communities (fungi and bacteria) were analyzed by using PacBio Sequel third-generation sequencing. [Result] The results showed that C. wenyujin plants in the fumigated soil exhibited good growth and minimal disease incidence, while those in the continuous cropping soil had poor growth and severe seedling death. Analysis of bacterial communities at the phylum level revealed that the abundance of AD3, TK10 and WPS-2 decreased in rhizosphere soil after continuous cropping compared with those in uncultivated soil. Fumigation of continuous cropping soil increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria with biocontrol functions such as Bacillus and Sphingomonas. Among the three soil types, 5 fungal phyla were abundant, including Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Chytridiomycota, Mortierellomycota, and unclassified_k_ Fungi. Ascomycota had the lowest abundance in uncultivated C. wenyujin soil, but continuous cropping significantly increased its abundance, while Basidiomycota showed a significant decrease. Several beneficial fungal genera, including Chaetomium, Penicillium, Aspergillus, Myrothecium, Thielavia, Humicola, Rhizophlyctis, Microdochium, Ramicandelaber, Albifi mbria, Curvularia, Gigaspora, Nigrospora, Neocosmospora, Talaromyces, Roussoella, Rhytidhysteron, Boothiomyces, Apiotrichum, Ochroconis, Saitozyma, Trichosporon and Phoma, had higher abundance in fumigated soil than that in continuous cropping soil. In contrast, continuous cropping soil had a higher accumulation of pathogenic microorganisms. [Conclusion] Continuous cropping of C. wenyujin leads to the accumulation of harmful soil microorganism, resulting in continuous cropping obstacles. Fumigation with dazomet can reduce the number of soil-borne pathogens and increase the abundance of beneficial microbial populations, thereby mitigating continuous cropping obstacles in C. wenyujin cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Scientific Journal of Agricultural Sciences (SJAS) is the property of Beni Suef University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The impact of fossil fuel utilisation in different combustion systems on climate change due to greenhouse gas accumulation in the atmosphere is rather evident. A part of these gases comes from the large engines used for propulsion in marine applications. In the continuous global effort made by engine manufacturers to mitigate this negative impact, one way is represented by the utilisation of alternative fuels such as biodiesel and methanol, based on dedicated research to fulfil the more stringent regulations concerning pollutant emissions issued by piston heat engines. In this study, a numerical investigation was conducted on a four-stroke large marine diesel engine (ALCO 16V 251C) at several engine speeds and full load conditions. Different blends of diesel–methanol and biodiesel B20–methanol with methanol mass fractions of 10% and 20% were considered for theoretical analysis in two techniques of methanol supply: direct injection mode of a blend of base fuel diesel/biodiesel B20 with methanol and injection of methanol after the intercooler, and direct injection of the base fuel. The results show that, if 10% in power loss can be acceptable, then for diesel–methanol 10%, in the direct injection technology, the NOx emission can be reduced up to 19%, but with a compromise of an 8% increase in SOOT emission, while for biodiesel B20–methanol 10%, with the same direct injection method, the NOx emissions increase by up to 58% with the benefit of reducing SOOT by up to 23% relative to the original diesel fuel operation. For a 20% methanol fraction in blend fuel, the drop in power is more than 10% regardless of the method of methanol supply and the base fuel, diesel, or B20 used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Mentha longifolia L. is a perennial plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family that has a wide distribution in the world. M. longifolia has many applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries due to its terpenoid and phenolic compounds. The phytochemical profile and biological activity of plants are affected by their genetics and habitat conditions. In the present study, the content, constituents and antifungal activity of the essential oil extracted from 20 accessions of M. longifolia collected from different regions of Iran and Iraq countries were evaluated. Results The essential oil content of the accessions varied between 1.54 ± 0.09% (in the Divandarreh accession) to 5.49 ± 0.12% (in the Khabat accession). Twenty-seven compounds were identified in the essential oils of the studied accessions, which accounted for 85.5-99.61% of the essential oil. The type and amount of dominant compounds in the essential oil were different depending on the accession. Cluster analysis of accessions based on essential oil compounds grouped them into three clusters. The first cluster included Baziyan, Boukan, Sarouchavah, Taghtagh, Darbandikhan, Isiveh and Harir. The second cluster included Khabat, Kounamasi, Soni and Mahabad, and other accessions were included in the third cluster. Significant correlations were observed between the essential oil content and components with the climatic and soil conditions of the habitats. The M. longifolia essential oil indicated antifungal activity against Fusarium solani in both methods used. In all studied accessions, the fumigation method compared to the contact method was more able to control mycelia growth. In both methods, the inhibition percentage of essential oil on mycelia growth increased with an increase in essential oil concentration. Significant correlations were found between the essential oil components and the inhibition percentage of mycelium growth. Conclusion The studied M. longifolia accessions showed significant differences in terms of the essential oil content and components. Differences in phytochemical profile of accessions can be due to their genetic or habitat conditions. The distance of the accessions in the cluster was not in accordance with their geographical distance, which indicates the more important role of genetic factors compared to habitat conditions in separating accessions. The antifungal activity of essential oils was strongly influenced by the essential oil quality and concentration, as well as the application method. Determining and introducing the elite accession in this study can be different depending on the breeder’s aims, such as essential oil content, desired chemical composition, or antifungal activity.

Phosphine is a major fumigant for insects control in stored products. However, the current fumigation with aluminum phosphide to generate phosphine is facing many challenges, such as require manual operation, fumigation produce can’t be automatically performed, and management of residue contaminants. To address these issues, the study utilizes a combination of pure phosphine gas from cylinders and nitrogen from a membrane separation nitrogen generator. Phosphine and nitrogen are mixed at predetermined ratios, and the resulting gas mixture is delivered directly into sealed grain storage facilities via a controlled release device and circulated within the grain piles to ensure fumigant evenly distribution. This maintains effective phosphine concentrations within the storage facility. The exposure duration lasted for 13 days, during which phosphine concentrations were monitored, and the total mortality rate of adult insects within the grain piles was recorded. Within 9 hours of treatment initiation, gas concentrations reached 736 mL/m3, peaking at 1 160 mL/m3, with an effective average concentration above 200 mL/m3 sustained for 10 days. The gas circulated and distributed uniformly within the treated space, enabling effective control of major stored commodity pests within a relatively short exposure period.

Fusarium infection of wheat can lead to scab, mycotoxin contamination and yield reduction. Fusarium is a serious threat to food security. In this study, the Fusarium strains in wheat were isolated and identified. The three strains N1, N2 and N3 belonged to Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium asiaticum and Fusarium culmatum, respectively. The production of zearalenone, vomitoxin and fumonisin by the three strains was analyzed by toxin-producing gene detection and mycotoxin detection. The results showed that N1 and N3 could produce zearalenone and vomitoxin, but did not produce fumonisin, while N2 did not produce these three toxins. In this study, ozone and chlorine dioxide were further used for gas fumigation to explore the effect of gas fumigation on the three strains isolated. By observing the spore morphology, mycelium length and mycelium morphology, the results showed that chlorine dioxide fumigation could effectively inhibit the growth of mycelium and spore germination, while ozone could only inhibit spore germination and had no obvious inhibitory effect on the growth of mycelium.

Background: Mentha longifolia L. is a perennial plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family that has a wide distribution in the world. M. longifolia has many applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries due to its terpenoid and phenolic compounds. The phytochemical profile and biological activity of plants are affected by their genetics and habitat conditions. In the present study, the content, constituents and antifungal activity of the essential oil extracted from 20 accessions of M. longifolia collected from different regions of Iran and Iraq countries were evaluated. Results: The essential oil content of the accessions varied between 1.54 ± 0.09% (in the Divandarreh accession) to 5.49 ± 0.12% (in the Khabat accession). Twenty-seven compounds were identified in the essential oils of the studied accessions, which accounted for 85.5-99.61% of the essential oil. The type and amount of dominant compounds in the essential oil were different depending on the accession. Cluster analysis of accessions based on essential oil compounds grouped them into three clusters. The first cluster included Baziyan, Boukan, Sarouchavah, Taghtagh, Darbandikhan, Isiveh and Harir. The second cluster included Khabat, Kounamasi, Soni and Mahabad, and other accessions were included in the third cluster. Significant correlations were observed between the essential oil content and components with the climatic and soil conditions of the habitats. The M. longifolia essential oil indicated antifungal activity against Fusarium solani in both methods used. In all studied accessions, the fumigation method compared to the contact method was more able to control mycelia growth. In both methods, the inhibition percentage of essential oil on mycelia growth increased with an increase in essential oil concentration. Significant correlations were found between the essential oil components and the inhibition percentage of mycelium growth. Conclusion: The studied M. longifolia accessions showed significant differences in terms of the essential oil content and components. Differences in phytochemical profile of accessions can be due to their genetic or habitat conditions. The distance of the accessions in the cluster was not in accordance with their geographical distance, which indicates the more important role of genetic factors compared to habitat conditions in separating accessions. The antifungal activity of essential oils was strongly influenced by the essential oil quality and concentration, as well as the application method. Determining and introducing the elite accession in this study can be different depending on the breeder's aims, such as essential oil content, desired chemical composition, or antifungal activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigations have shown that storage bugs seriously harm grains during storage. In the interim, essential oils (EOs) have been proven to be a good botanical pesticide. The anti-Lasioderma serricorne properties of Elsholtzia ciliata essential oil, which was obtained by steam distillation, were evaluated using DL-limonene, carvone, and their two optical isomer components using contact, repelling, and fumigation techniques. Simultaneously, the fumigation, contact, and repellent activities of carvone and its two optical isomers mixed with DL-limonene against L. serruricorne were evaluated. The results showed that E. ciliata, its main components (R-carvone, DL-limonene), and S-carvone exhibited both fumigations (LC50 = 14.47, 4.42, 20.9 and 3.78 mg/L) and contact (LD50 = 7.31, 4.03, 28.62 and 5.63 µg/adult) activity against L.serricorne. A binary mixture (1:1) of R-carvone and DL-limonene displayed an obvious synergistic effect. A binary mixture (1:1) of carvone and its two optical isomers exhibited an obvious synergistic effect, too. Furthermore, the repellent activity of the EO, carvone, and its two optical isomers, DL-limonene, and a combination of them varied. To stop insect damage during storage, E. ciliata and its components can be utilized as bio-insecticides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Science & Technology of Cereals, Oils & Foods is the property of Science & Technology of Cereals, Oils & Foods Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Wildfires result in the emission of large volumes of toxic smoke, which is transported hundreds of kilometers away from the fires and can have an adverse impact on soil, biota, and humans. A series of modelling experiments on pyrogenic fumigation of soil has been carried out to assess the effects of gaseous products of wildfires on soil biochemical parameters. The effects of continuous exposure to gaseous substances and periodical, repetitive effects of smoke exposure on soil have been determined. The results have been compared with a single intense smoke exposure. It was found that pyrogenic impact significantly affected the enzymatic activity of ordinary chernozem. The degree of influence depended on the duration and periodicity of smoke exposure. In all experiments, enzymes of oxidoreductase class (catalase, peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase) were more sensitive to fumigation than invertase from hydrolase class. High concentrations of toxic gases were the cause of suppressed enzymatic activity of soils. The following concentrations exceeded the maximum permissible concentrations for atmospheric air: CO 714 times, phenol (hydroxybenzene) 441 times, acetaldehyde 24100 times, formaldehyde 190 times. Accumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soil after fumigation was revealed, the total content of PAHs was 377 ng/g. The highest values were recorded for naphthalene, where the concentration was 4.4 times higher than the maximum permissible concentration and phenanthrene, 2.8 times higher than the maximum permissible concentration. It has been found that 60-min intensive smoke affects the soil to a lesser extent than continuous and periodical ones. Indices of enzymatic activity of chernozem after such fumigation decreased by 15–33% depending on the enzyme, and after continuous and periodical by 41–84 and 31–78%, respectively. The obtained data indicated a significant effect of smoke on the enzymatic activity of soils under continuous and periodical exposure to gaseous products of combustion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fruits of Citrus limon are often purchased for their vitamin C-rich juice, while the fruit peel and the tree leaves are discarded as wastes. This study obtained the chemical profiles of the essential oils (EOs) of C. limon wastes (the peel and leaves), evaluated their medicinal value as antioxidants, their potential for sustainable use in agriculture as an insecticide for post-harvest preservation of grains, and their potential as a bioresource in livestock feed formulations. The EOs were isolated from C. limon leaves and peel using a hydro-distillation method on a Clevenger apparatus. The oil constituents were identified using the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) hyphenated technique. The oils were evaluated for their in vitro antioxidant activity using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric-reducing antioxidant power methods. An insecticidal study was conducted using contact toxicity, fumigation, and repellence bioassay methods against Sitophilus zeamais (maize weevils). Finally, the predicted income from using lemon peel as an alternative or substitute ingredient for maize in livestock feed formulations was obtained through a conventional simulation method. Chemically, limonene was found to be present in all the EOs analyzed (12–52%), while α-pinene was only found in the fresh leaf and peel oils (13.3% and 10.6%). Caryophyllene oxide was identified as the major component of the dried leaf oil (17.7%). At 20 µg m, the dry peel oil exhibited the highest inhibitory activity (52.41 ± 0.26%) against the DPPH radical, which was comparable to L-ascorbic acid (a standard antioxidant) at 54.25 ± 3.55%. The insecticidal study revealed that the dry peel oil is a better insect repellent (73.33 ± 6.95% at 10 µL) and fumigant (LC50 = 0.17 µL g−1 after 48 h) natural agent compared to the peel oil. Conversely, the dry peel oil showed a better contact activity (LC50 = 1.69 µL g−1) against the maize weevils compared to the dry leaf oil. The simulation study showed the cost of using dry lemon peel as an alternative to maize in livestock feed formulation to be ZAR 2.8 billion, compared against the higher cost of feed formulation with maize, which currently stands at ZAR 24.9 billion. This study has shown that C. limon wastes (the peel and leaves) contain EOs with unique chemical profiles, valuable medicinal properties as free radical scavengers, and considerable insecticidal properties for agricultural use in post-harvest grain preservation, presenting a cost-effective and promising bioresource for livestock feed production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the role of microbiomes in sustainable agriculture, highlighting their importance in enhancing plant performance and health. It discusses how microbial species interact with plants and provide beneficial functions, such as stress tolerance and nutrient efficiency. The use of microbiomes in agriculture can lead to more sustainable practices by reducing the need for chemical products. The article emphasizes the need for further research and advancements in omics technologies to better understand and utilize microbiomes in agriculture. Additionally, the document provides a summary of various studies related to microbiomes in agriculture, including their impact on salt tolerance in barley, the root microbiota community of oil palm seedlings, the microbiome profile of soybean rhizosphere, and the microbial composition associated with a Chinese medicinal plant at different altitudes. Two review articles discuss the microbiome changes in sugar beet throughout its life cycle and the relationship between common mycorrhizal networks and plant species. These studies contribute to our understanding of microbiomes in agriculture and their potential applications. [Extracted from the article]

Fungal decay is one of the most significant causes of postharvest losses of blueberries, with Botrytis rot caused by Botrytis cinerea and Alternaria rot caused by Alternaria alternata being the two most destructive fungal diseases. Plant essential oil has attracted the extensive attention of scholars due to its natural antifungal and anti-corrosion effects. In this study, the effects of fumigation treatment with plant essential oils on the growth of pathogenic fungi in blueberry fruits in vitro and the activity of defense-related enzymes of fungi-inoculated blueberry were evaluated. The results showed that, of the six natural plant essential oils of cinnamon, oregano, clove, tea tree, pomelo peel, and rosemary, oregano essential oil had the most efficient inhibitory effect on Botrytis cinerea and Alternaria alternata in PDA. After fumigating inoculated blueberry fruits with concentration gradients of 0, 30, 60, and 90 μL/L of oregano essential oil, it was found that the activity of defense-related enzymes such as phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), peroxidase (POD), chitinase (CHI), and β-1,3-glucanase (GLU) in the inoculated blueberry fruits was induced and enhanced to varying degrees throughout the entire storage period, effectively enhancing the resistance of blueberry fruits to pathogenic fungi and reducing the postharvest decay caused by Botrytis cinerea and Alternaria alternata. The optimal concentration for the fumigation treatment with oregano essential oil is 60 μL/L. This study provides a theoretical basis for the postharvest application of oregano essential oil in blueberries and other fruits and vegetables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most common pesticide agents are organophosphates and phosphides, aluminum phosphide (ALP) in particular. ALP is a major cause of suicidal poisoning in many countries. In other countries, the problem of accidental, mainly occupational-related, poisoning is also real and actual. Almost two thirds of individuals in poisoning cases have died. This case report describes a case of a patient with accidental ALP intoxication. The origin of the poisoning was the fumigation of stored grain in an agricultural building adjacent to the building in which patient was temporarily housed, while both buildings were connected by an underground corridor, through which the released poison gas penetrated. The case was originally presented by the rescuers as well as healthcare professionals of the local hospital as carbon monoxide intoxication, which has a similar symptomatology as ALP intoxication. The patient was treated comprehensively, including using the HBOT method, which is very unique in the case of phosphine intoxication in human medicine, with an excellent final clinical outcome. This was the first described case of HBOT for ALP intoxication in clinical medicine, although the HBOT indication itself became a coincidence in this case. Further studies must be undertaken to demonstrate the effectiveness of HBOT in treating patients with ALP poisoning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dazomet is a dry powder formulation that releases toxic gas containing methyl isothiocyanate, which controls soil-borne pests and weeds, improving crop yields when applied to moist soils. To explore the efficacy of dazomet fumigation in the cultivation of the perennial herb Codonopsis pilosula, four typical cultivars (G1, G2, W1 and TCK) in Gansu Province were selected for seedling cultivation after soil fumigation (F) by dazomet, and non-fumigated soil was used as a control (CK). The experiments took 2 years to complete. The functional diversity of the soil enzymes and microorganisms, seedling emergence and physiological characteristics, and the quality and yield of Codonopsis seedlings and Radix were assessed. The results showed that the seed emergence rate, seedling re-green rate and several antioxidant enzymatic activities improved in the treatments involving soil fumigation with dazomet, and membrane lipid peroxidation in the seedlings decreased. On average, compared with those of the respective controls, the root viability and yield of the seedlings of the tested cultivars also increased by 34.87% and 42.4%, respectively, and the incidence of root rot in the seedlings was reduced by 83.9%, compared with their respective controls. After harvest, the yield increased by 23.9%, the incidence of root rot decreased by 61.3%, increase in yield and a 61.3% reduction in incidence, and the medicinal materials were determined to be safe and residue-free. The effects of fumigation were cultivar-specific and were especially prominent in G2. Therefore, soil fumigation with dazomet could improve the quality and productivity of Codonopsis pilosula seedlings. Taken together, these findings suggest that when herbs are bred by seedling transplantation, especially cultivars of good quality but poor resistance or species with rare germplasm resources, soil fumigation provides a way to improve cultivation effectiveness and, more importantly, ensures the probability of successfully breeding the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cucumber wilt is an important soil borne disease in cucumber production, which seriously affects the development of the cucumber industry. Cleome spinosa also has pharmacological effects such as antibacterial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and insect repellent. To study the control effect and mechanism of Cleome spinosa fumigation on cucumber wilt disease, different concentrations of Cleome spinosa fragments were applied on cucumber plants infected with Fusarium oxysporum. Cleome spinosa fumigation significantly reduced the incidence rate of cucumber Fusarium wilt. Under the fumigation treatment of 7.5 g kg−1Cleome spinosa fragments, the preventive effects were 74.7%. Cleome spinosa fragments fumigation can promote cucumber growth and synthesis of photosynthetic pigments, thereby improving individual plant yield and fruit quality. At 7.5 g kg−1Cleome spinosa fragments fumigation treatment, the plant height and individual plant yield of cucumber increased by 20.3% and 34.3%, respectively. Cleome spinosa fumigation can enhance the activity of antioxidant enzymes in cucumber, maintain a balance of reactive oxygen species metabolism, and enhance the plant disease resistance. Moreover, Cleome spinosa can also regulate the activities of Mg2+-ATPase and Ca2+-ATPase, enhancing its resistance to Fusarium oxysporum. Moreover, number of bacteria and fungi significantly decreased under Cleome spinosa fumigation. Those results suggested that Cleome spinosa could effectively restrain cucumber Fusarium wilt. This study will provide a new idea for the further use of biological fumigation to prevent soil-borne diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Grain is an important material for human survival. However, the expanding world population is contributing to a growing grain shortage. In order to reduce the loss of grain due to pests and mold during storage, mechanical ventilation as the main method of ventilation has crucial research significance. This article proposed and analyzed the ventilation effect and the migration characteristics of ozone in the grain pile under the modified ventilation network (MVN) and compared it with the original ventilation network (OVN). The study found that the temperature, moisture, and ozone concentration in the grain pile of the two ventilation networks are not evenly distributed in the vertical direction, showing a layered pattern. That is, with an increase in grain stack height, the temperature and moisture content of the grain stack are higher, and the ozone concentration is lower. Moreover, in the pre-ventilation period, the average temperature decline rate of the MVN was 1.25 °C/d, which was better than that of the OVN (0.84 °C/d), and the maximum temperature difference between the MVN and the OVN was 0.89 °C. The vertical ducts added to the MVN improved the ventilation effect, maintaining high ozone concentrations within the grain pile. Notably, on the sixth day of fumigation, the average ozone concentration of the MVN exceeded that of the OVN. The MVN can solve the shortcomings of the OVN, where air intake and fumigation gas rise slowly in the vertical direction. These findings hold substantial significance for optimizing ventilation network structures, devising effective fumigation strategies, and enhancing the insecticidal effects of grain storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since organic rice storage silos were faced with an insect problem, an owner solved this problem using the expert system (ES) in the controlled atmosphere process (CAP) under the required standard, fumigating insects with an N2, reducing O2 concentration to less than 2% for 21 days. This article presents the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) assisted ES successfully solved this problem. First, CFD was employed to determine the gas flow pattern, O2 concentration, proper operating conditions, and a correction factor (K) of silos. As expected, CFD results were consistent with the experimental results and theory, assuring the CFD's credibility. Significantly, CFD results revealed that the ES controlled N2 distribution throughout the silos and effectively reduced O2 concentration to meet the requirement. Next, the ES was developed based on the inference engine assisted by CFD results and the sweep-through purging principle, and it was implemented in the CAP. Last, the experiments evaluated CAP's efficacy in controlling O2 concentration and insect extermination in the actual silos. The experimental results and owner's feedback confirmed the excellent efficacy of ES implementation; therefore, the CAP is effective and practical. The novel aspect of this research is a CFD methodology to create the inference engine and the ES. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess the efficiency of the use of α-pinene and essential oils of Gaultheria procumbens, Juniperus communis, Protium heptaphyllum, and Protium pallidum in treating corn seeds (Zea mays) under storage conditions for the management of Sitophilus zeamais. Contact toxicity, fumigation, repellency, persistence, and residual effects of the targeted essential oil and phytocompound on germination were performed. G. procumbens oil, high in methyl salicylate (96%), was the most toxic in contact tests, with an LC50 of 26.83 µL/20 g. P. heptaphyllum oil, containing 40.1% limonene, was the second most toxic with an LC50 of 45.78 μL/20 g. When test separately, α-pinene was more toxic than J. communis oil, which has 67% α-pinene. P. pallidum oil, with 31.17% o-cimene, also showed toxicity. In fumigation tests, the toxicity order was G. procumbens ≥ P. heptaphyllum > α-pinene > J. communis > P. pallidum. All products were repellent. G. procumbens had the longest persistence (71 days), while J. communis and α-pinene had shorter persistence. J. communis oil and α-pinene did not affect corn seed germination or vigor. The findings are crucial for managing S. zeamais in stored maize and determining the appropriate use of natural insecticides without affecting their ability to germinate and grow.

Post-harvest losses due to insect infestation and spoilage by bacteria and molds pose significant challenges to global cereal production. This study investigates the prevalence of resistance to phosphine, a commonly used grain protection agent, in stored-grain insects. The research, conducted in various storage facilities across Greece, examined 53 populations of key stored-product insect species. Two assessment protocols, namely, dose–response (at 50–1000 ppm for 3 days exposure) and CORESTA (at 300 ppm for 6 days), were used herein to estimate phosphine resistance. The results showed that 13.3% of field populations were resistant, and mortality rates increased with higher phosphine concentrations. Specifically, according to the dose–response protocol, among the 53 field populations, 37.7% were found to be resistant to phosphine, namely, two populations of O. surinamensis, one of S. oryzae, seven of T. confusum, one of C. ferrugineus, one of T. castaneum, and all populations of R. dominica, whereas, according to the CORESTA protocol, all populations were found to be susceptible to phosphine. The observed resistance patterns differ from those reported in other regions of the world. The study highlights the importance of tailored fumigation strategies, considering insect species varying susceptibility to phosphine. It recommends the use of best management practices and rotational strategies, such as combining phosphine with other methods, to develop effective resistance management plans. The results provide valuable insights into the dynamic landscape of phosphine resistance in stored-product insects and suggest potential avenues for further research and control measures.

Pinewood nematodes threaten forest health and continue to interfere with international trade because they can be spread around the globe via nematode-infested wood. International Standards for Phytosanitary Measure (ISPM-15) requires that all pine wood be treated at 56°C for 30 min to ensure that all pests and pathogens are killed within sawn wood, whereas fumigation with methyl bromide is the currently approved practice and widely used in treating whole logs. A method of treatment that uses less energy and time or does not rely on environmentally damaging gases is urgently needed. Because vacuum with steam has shown promise in treating several different commodities, the purpose of this study was to use it to eradicate pinewood nematodes in whole logs. Three protocols were applied: 1) 48°C for 15 min., 2) 56°C for 30 min., and 3) 60°C for 60 min. The third protocol reduced the population to statistically zero; however, some samples contained at least 1 survivor. Unfortunately, these surviving nematodes increased in number one month after treatment, and one year later, they continued to reproduce in the wood. Therefore, this protocol needs to be further refined to remove pinewood nematodes completely. Explanation of the survival of individual nematodes within whole logs remains a matter for conjecture: 1) certain portions of the wood were somehow insulated from the heat and did not achieve the lethal temperature, and 2) survival stages may be able to survive temperatures that are deadly to the normal life stages.

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) fumigation was evaluated for efficacy against western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) and phytotoxicity to four select fresh fruits and vegetables. Western flower thrips were found to be very susceptible to SO2 fumigation. Fumigations with 0.3 and 0.5% SO2 for 60 and 30 min, respectively, at a low temperature of 5 °C achieved 100% thrips mortality. Broccoli, bell peppers, apples, and navel oranges with thrips were subjected to 30 min fumigation with 0.3–0.5% SO2 to verify efficacy and determine potential phytotoxicity. The fumigation resulted in complete control of thrips. Its effects on visual quality of fresh produce varied. The fumigation caused severe discoloration of broccoli. However, the treatment did not have significant effects on the color of other products. No negative impact on visual appearance of bell peppers and navel oranges was observed. However, it caused darkened lenticels on green apples and, therefore, may potentially degrade apple postharvest quality. The lack of phytotoxicity of SO2 fumigation is likely due to well-developed wax layers on those fresh products. The results of the study suggest that SO2 fumigation has good potential to be used safely and effectively against sensitive pests on select fresh fruit and vegetables including peppers and citrus fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]